The Hutchins Doodlebug Limited Edition Surf Guitar is one of the most distinctive electric guitars to come out of the UK boutique guitar scene. Designed and built by Sussex-based Hutchins Guitars, the Doodlebug combines vintage surf guitar aesthetics, retro-inspired styling and an incredibly versatile four-pickup configuration that immediately stands out from traditional electric guitar designs. Hutchins Guitars is known for producing unique, handcrafted instruments with a strong retro influence and distinctive visual identity.

Finished in Light Blue with a matching headstock and striking white pearloid pickguard, the Doodlebug was designed to capture the spirit of classic surf, garage rock and psychedelic guitars while offering modern playability and a huge range of tonal options. Its standout feature is the quartet of humbucking pickups, each with its own on/off switch, allowing players to create an enormous variety of pickup combinations and sounds.

This pre-owned example is presented in very good condition and offers a rare opportunity to own a genuinely unusual British-built guitar that is guaranteed to attract attention both visually and sonically.

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Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This guitar is in very good condition with cosmetic wear consistent with careful ownership and regular use.

Fully functional and professionally checked prior to sale.

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What's Included?

✔ Fully Checked & Tested by Fair Deal Music

✘ No Hard Case Included

✘ No Gig Bag Included

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Condition Notes

• Very good overall condition

• Signs of careful ownership and use

• Electronics functioning correctly

• Hardware functioning correctly

• Structurally sound and fully playable

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Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Our team has thoroughly inspected and tested this Hutchins Doodlebug to ensure it is fully functional and ready for its next owner.

Checks completed include:

✔ All four pickups tested

✔ Individual pickup switches verified

✔ Controls checked

✔ Output jack inspected

✔ Vibrato system assessed

✔ Neck assessed

✔ Fingerboard inspected

✔ Frets checked

✔ Tuners tested

✔ Hardware verified

✔ Playability assessed

✔ Overall condition verified

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Service / Setup Work

Prior to sale, this guitar has been checked and prepared by our team.

Work completed includes:

✔ Neck relief checked

✔ Action checked

✔ Electronics tested

✔ Hardware inspected

✔ Vibrato system checked

✔ Frets assessed

✔ General playability evaluated

✔ Restrung where required

All pre-owned guitars are set up and checked before leaving the shop. Please note that setup can occasionally shift during delivery due to changes in humidity and temperature, as wood naturally responds to environmental changes.

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Why Choose The Hutchins Doodlebug?

Four Humbucking Pickups

The defining feature of the Doodlebug is its unique four-pickup layout. Each pickup has its own dedicated on/off switch, allowing an enormous number of pickup combinations and tonal possibilities rarely found on conventional electric guitars.

Genuine Boutique British Design

Hutchins Guitars is a UK-based artisan builder known for creating highly individual instruments with strong retro influences and boutique craftsmanship.

Distinctive Surf Guitar Styling

Everything about the Doodlebug is designed to stand out, from the offset-inspired body shape and matching headstock through to its unique pickup layout and vintage-inspired visual appeal.

Hutchins Vibrato System

The proprietary Hutchins vibrato system gives players expressive pitch control while complementing the guitar's surf-inspired personality.

Massive Tonal Flexibility

The switching system allows players to move between bright vintage-style sounds, thicker humbucking tones and unusual pickup combinations that simply aren't available on traditional guitars.

Rare And Uncommon Instrument

Doodlebug models appear relatively infrequently on the used market, making them appealing to players who want something genuinely different from mainstream production guitars.

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Why Buy Pre-Owned?

Buying pre-owned often provides access to boutique and limited-production instruments that are difficult to source new.

Benefits include:

• Better value for money

• Reduced depreciation

• Access to rare and unusual models

• Professionally checked before sale

• More character and individuality

• Sustainable alternative to buying new

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Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Hutchins Doodlebug vs Eastwood Airline

Both guitars embrace retro styling and unusual designs, but the Doodlebug offers significantly greater pickup switching flexibility thanks to its four-pickup layout.

Hutchins Doodlebug vs Reverend Jetstream

The Reverend focuses on modern versatility and refinement, while the Doodlebug leans heavily into boutique individuality and vintage-inspired aesthetics.

Hutchins Doodlebug vs Gretsch Electromatic

Gretsch guitars deliver classic retro styling and Filter'Tron-inspired sounds, while the Doodlebug offers a far more unconventional pickup configuration and visual identity.

Hutchins Doodlebug vs Fender Jaguar

Both appeal to players seeking alternative styling and offset-inspired designs, though the Doodlebug's four-pickup system provides a completely different tonal experience.

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Who Is It For?

Beginners

Suitable for adventurous beginners looking for something truly unique and inspiring.

Intermediate Players

A fantastic choice for players seeking a guitar that offers sounds and styling beyond the mainstream.

Professional Players

Ideal for recording musicians, collectors and gigging players who want a distinctive instrument capable of standing out in a mix.

Particularly Recommended For

• Surf guitarists

• Indie musicians

• Garage rock players

• Alternative musicians

• Psychedelic rock players

• Recording artists

• Collectors

• Boutique guitar enthusiasts

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What Makes A Four-Pickup Guitar Special?

Most electric guitars feature between one and three pickups. The Doodlebug's four-pickup design dramatically expands the number of available sounds.

Benefits include:

• Greater tonal variety

• Unusual pickup combinations

• Expanded creative possibilities

• Unique recording sounds

• Increased versatility

• Distinctive sonic character

For players who enjoy experimenting with tone and creating sounds that stand apart from traditional guitar voices, a four-pickup guitar offers a huge range of possibilities.

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Product Story / Context

Hutchins Guitars was founded by British luthier Andy Hutchins and quickly developed a reputation for creating unique, handcrafted instruments inspired by vintage American, British and Japanese designs. The Doodlebug became one of the company's most recognisable models thanks to its combination of surf guitar aesthetics, boutique construction and highly unconventional electronics.

With its four humbuckers, individual switching system and proprietary vibrato design, the Doodlebug was created for players who wanted something genuinely different from the traditional Stratocaster, Telecaster or Les Paul formula.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Name	Hutchins Doodlebug Limited Edition Surf Guitar
Finish	Light Blue
Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Body Material	Alder
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Pickup Configuration	4 Humbuckers
Pickup Switching	Individual On/Off Switching
Vibrato System	Hutchins Vibrato
Electronics	Passive
Orientation	Right-Handed
Country of Manufacture	United Kingdom
Condition	Very Good

Specifications based on documented Doodlebug examples and published model information.

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Power Requirements

Not applicable.

This is a passive electric guitar and does not require batteries or external power.

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Pairs Perfectly With

• Surf-style spring reverb pedal

• Vintage-voiced valve amplifier

• Delay pedal

• Fuzz pedal

• Instrument cable

• Guitar stand

• Clip-on tuner

• Premium guitar strap

• Recording interface

• Selected pre-owned amplifiers and effects pedals

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Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Fair Deal Music is a family-run independent music retailer founded in 1987 and Birmingham's largest independent music store.

With over 6,000 Excellent Trustpilot reviews, knowledgeable musicians available by phone, online and in-store, fast UK delivery and secure online ordering, we help musicians find the right gear with confidence.

Our Birmingham showroom features a huge range of new and pre-owned instruments, amplifiers and accessories, while our specialist pre-owned department helps musicians buy, sell and trade unique and hard-to-find equipment.

Whether you're searching for a boutique British guitar, a recording workhorse or an instrument that stands apart from the crowd, our experienced team can help you find the perfect fit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Hutchins Doodlebug unusual?

Its four humbucking pickups with individual on/off switches create a huge range of tonal combinations that are rarely found on traditional electric guitars.

Is the Doodlebug suitable for surf music?

Yes. The guitar was specifically inspired by surf and retro guitar designs and features a dedicated vibrato system well suited to the genre.

What styles of music does it suit?

It works exceptionally well for surf, indie, garage rock, psychedelic rock, alternative music and recording applications.

Is this a boutique guitar?

Yes. Hutchins is a small British builder known for artisan-built instruments and distinctive designs.

Are Hutchins guitars common?

No. Production numbers are relatively small, making them far less common than mainstream production guitars.

Is it suitable for recording?

Absolutely. The extensive pickup switching options provide a huge range of unique tones for studio use.

How does it compare to a Fender Jaguar?

Both appeal to alternative-minded players, but the Doodlebug offers a far more unusual electronics layout and visual design.

Can I try it in-store?

Yes. You're welcome to visit our Birmingham showroom to try available guitars and speak with our experienced team.